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Many new parents may find it a little overwhelming when shopping for the first car seat for their newborn. With infant, booster, and convertible car seats available, it may be hard to know exactly which type will best serve your needs. Convertible car seats are a popular choice because they can be used for infants all the way up to toddlers. Having to buy only one seat for the first few years of your child’s life is more economical in the long run and it is a lot less of a hassle than having to buy several different seats as your child grows. They are referred to as “convertible” because when your little one is small you use it in a rear-facing position. As your child gets bigger you can then “convert” it into the forward facing position. These seats can typically handle children from 5 lbs. to 65 lbs. For new parents these types of seats help simplify everything while providing excellent protection for children of all sizes.

Finding A Car Seat That Is Right For You

When trying to find the perfect seat for your little one there are many factors to consider. Safety, comfort, budget, the size of vehicle, weight of the seat, and customer ratings all play a role in determining which safety seat will be best for your family. Finding car seats that have superb reviews from parents will give you a good foundation as to which models and brands have proven to be favorable with owners. This will also help you zero in on which seats fit best into your budget while providing the safety and comfort that you want for your child. Below are some options that we tend to recommend as the top rated convertible car seats of 2016 worth considering.

Recaro ProRide

While this company may not be as well known as Britax or Graco, they have a wonderful line of mid-range car seats that offer excellent value. Recaro designs seats for race cars and this know how has been engineered into their child safety seats. They are designed to exceed current regulations and standards so you can rest assured that your child will have the latest technology to protect them. The ProRide convertible car seat is an excellent choice as it combines both function and comfort in a more affordable price tag for a higher end seat. With variable impact protection, easily adjustable safety harness, and various ease of use features, this particular model gets very high marks from parents. It is durable, and easy to clean as well, which helps make this a top pick for a seat which you need to perform for a number of years. It comes in multiple colors and it runs around $200. It is not the most affordable model out there, but it does offer tremendous value for the price.

Britax Advocate

Britax has a solid reputation for making extremely safe, and stylish, convertible car seats. They have several models to choose from, but the Advocate is near the top of the line. They implement their SafeCell technology into all of their seats which is designed to absorb impact energy and protect the passenger from crash forces and debris in the event of an accident. Their seats are supremely engineered for safety which is something that all parents love. They also have some unique design patterns that also help set their car seats apart. These are higher end seats that will run you a lot more money. For a lot of parents the investment is worth it as these seats tend to stand the wear and tear over time. The materials that are used are comfortable for kids and are relatively easy to keep clean. This is a great option if you have the budget for it.

Graco MyRide

These are perhaps the most popular seats out there as they make affordable safety seats that appeal to both parents and kids. You really cannot go wrong with any of the convertible car seats that Graco offers, but the MyRide is our favorite. Again, these meet or exceed all current safety regulations so you know you are getting something that will protect your child. Side impact protection, safety harness, easy to use latch system, and materials that are easy to maintain or some of the key features that parents really rave about. This model gets pretty nice reviews that help make this a really good option for those looking to save a little. The seats are well made with some nice design options as well.

These are just some of the choices that we recommend, but there are other options out there from EvenFlo, Chicco, Peg Perego, Safety 1st, DIono, Cosco, and more that may also suit your needs. Finding the right convertible car seat for your child may seem like an impossible feat, but with just a little research you should be able to find one that is perfect for your family. Just remember to buy a reputable brand name from a reputable store and read the owners manual carefully. For more reassurance, using the service of a certified car seat technician can teach you how to properly use your new seat and show you how to install it and strap your child in correctly. A misused seat can be a recipe for disaster, so this is really a vital step that should not be overlooked.

Training for your next marathon can be a little complicated for those with small children. It is sometimes hard to juggle your running schedule around the need to look after your kids. This is where a running stroller can really help. It can benefit you by letting you get in a workout without having to find a babysitter for a couple of hours, plus the kids really enjoy the ride. You get to combine many activities into one and finding the right stroller can greatly improve your ability to meet your training goals.

Finding the right equipment is always a vital part of a successful exercise routine, the same can be said for running. The latest jogging stroller reviews 2016 is a good place to begin your search. If you are having trouble getting the ball rolling we have a few features that your new running stroller should have to maximize your efforts while training plus provide a safe experience for you and your little one. If you already own a jogging stroller but you aren’t sure if you are using it properly while training, we also have a few tips that will help you ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit while using it.

What You Should Look For In A New Stroller

Jogging strollers are engineered to accommodate many different styles of running, but there are certain aspects to look for in a new stroller that are important for fast paced running.

Wheels

This is perhaps the most important part of a stroller to keep an eye on. How well the wheels are constructed can have a huge impact on how well a stroller will perform for you, and how safe it will be at higher speeds.

One vital feature to make sure your running stroller has is a lockable front wheel. While having a front wheel that can swivel is great for maneuvering, it can be a detriment for straight line running. Locking the wheel in place will make the stroller more stable at faster speeds and easier to control. This is, of course, crucial for safe operation at a full sprint.

Also make sure the tires are air filled, big, have a wide base and have an adjustable suspension. All of these factors will contribute to how easy and safe the stroller will ride at a heftier pace.

Canopy

This feature is for the protection of the rider as long summer days can produce excessive exposure to the suns harmful rays. Getting a jogger with a large adjustable sun canopy should always be a chief concern.

Staying In Control

We suggest looking for models that feature hand brakes and a tether to keep you connected to the stroller at all times. These two features will help prevent the stroller from getting away from you in case you slip, fall, cramp up, or any other unforeseen accident that may cause you to stop suddenly. Safety first is always the prudent option.

Tips For Training With A Running Stroller

If you already own one of these pieces of equipment and are looking for some jogging stroller tips that can help you be more efficient and maximize your training efforts, some of these below may be of use.

Don’t Reach

Make sure that your arms are not outstretched and you find yourself reaching for the handlebar. This will end up causing you start bending over at the hips and lose your running form. You want to keep your elbows bent and have the stroller closer to you so you can run more upright. Having a jogging stroller with an adjustable handle bar will really come in handy here as you can customize your fit and get it in the exact position you need.

Watch Those Toes

You may not be used to pushing something in front of you, especially up a hill, and you may start to push off of your instep with your foot turned to the side. It is important to make sure that your foot is pointing forward in the direction that you are running. Make sure your toes are headed in the proper direction while running. Keeping proper form may take some getting used to but it is important to be aware of it.

Pack Appropriately

Kids may love the ride, but they also may get hot and the canopy may block your view of them while running. It is vital to check on them every so often and see how they are handling things. Most of today’s running strollers will come with some sort of storage pouches that can fit stuff like water, diapers, snacks and the sort. Make sure to pack for any type of emergency because you never know when you will need it. Make good use of the storage that your stroller may have.

A running stroller can be a fabulous piece of training equipment that can help parents get some extra training time into their schedules. Knowing which features are most important and how to best utilize your stroller will help make the entire exercise a fun, safe, and beneficial activity for the entire family.